Jul 19, 2011

Thanks to those of you who helped make the downtown Bloomington event a success! Although we've been doing this for years, the preparation and groundwork to host a downtown venue are mind-numbing, starting months before the event until the last rider is in. Unofficially, I counted over seventy people with specific tasks and responsibilities directly related to the race or preparations. In addition to the over 200 racers in five categories, some estimates were that over 1,000 people lined the course throughout the night! Many thanks too, to the sponsors and benefactors, both long term and those dedicated to our teams all season and those who gave for just this event-as many have done year after year. Their gifts and support and patience are one measure of the strength of cycling in Bloomington. I know you don't race for money but it's nice when a community is engaged enough in our sport that shuts down the streets, re-routes traffic and generally creates a nuisance, to provide gifts and cash for your efforts. It's also fulfilling for me to see how the racers interacted with the crowds and passersby in such a professional and courteous manner- not always so easy when the adrenalin is jacked. I was witness, at my post at the start/finish, to countless interactions between rider/fan/resident and visitor. Our community takes its cues from how we behave and that perception is what allows us back again next year.

If you have a moment, tell us how we did, and as importantly, what we can do better or differently next year.

6th street was already patched. Indiana, 7th streets, and Dunn were in good shape. Short of rebuilding the brick crosswalk on Kirkwood there is little that could be done to improve the course. There were no pot holes on the course.

We can always use more marshalls, however, short of a brief lapse on 6th and Dunn in the Women's feature I'm unaware of any serious incidents with corner marshalling. (Thanks again to all who helped)

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Bloomington Velo-News

This is a resource for everything biking in Bloomington IN. Everything and everybody is welcome- rides, results, blogs, opinion etc. Mail me content at sacconetom@gmail.com or if you want to often contribute, let me know.